​​​Wessex Guild of Bookbinders

Welcome

History

Membership

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The Wessex Guild of Bookbinders is a group of amateur bookbinding enthusiasts who meet each week in Holt Heath in Dorset. We enjoy being together, each of us working on our own project. No formal instruction is given at these sessions, though we learn from each other’s ideas and experience.

The Guild has been going since 1968. We hope you will enjoy reading more about us and our history.

We welcome new members and if you are interested in joining us, you are very welcome to come for a trial period before committing yourself.

If you have any questions or would like more information, do please contact us.

The Wessex Guild of Bookbinders was formed in 1968 when the class at the Bournemouth Municipal College run by Eric Burdett closed.

Many were keen to continue and, by good fortune, one of the members was a nun from the House of Bethany in Boscombe, which was able to offer the use of the Convent bindery in their grounds.

The Guild's title was chosen as the bookbinders came not only from Bournemouth, but the wider Wessex region. The Guild continued to flourish there until the early eighties when the convent closed. Once again a member came to the rescue. The late Lady Jane Hanham, with her husband Sir Michael, generously provided accommodation at Deans Court in Wimborne where, over the years, it has been housed in various parts of the building.

It was only been possible to survive due to the continued support and generosity of their son, Sir William Hanham, until Spring 2013, when the long association with the estate had to come to an end. Fortunately the Guild has now found excellent premises in Holt Heath.

New members are welcome and may come along for a trial period. They are invited to view the equipment and materials, and if you have no previous training or experience, you will be offered appropriate assistance. The Guild members currently meet on Tuesdays or Thursdays during the day, and Tuesday evenings.

​The aim of the guild is to keep alive and promote the craft of traditional and contemporary bookbinding.

Membership FeesFull membership £200 p.a. Includes free use of bindery and equipment. Materials used are extra.Eligible for Guild activities.